An obscure comic book movie adaptation, 2 Guns didn’t exactly stand out as a high point of the Summer 2013 movie season. For my money, though, it is a serviceable B-movie shoot-em-up/buddy throwback, with updated cultural references (Mexican drug cartels, corrupt government organizations), a commendable bromance with Mark Wahlberg and Denzel Washington, and even a genuinely memorable scene or two. (Who wants to play Russian Roulette with Bill Paxton?)
The Wahlberg/Washington pairing also turned out well from a studio investment perspective, resulting in 2 Guns exceeding its $61 million budget in terms of U.S. box office returns; and then, it more than doubled its cost, once you also figure in the foreign gross. Admittedly, those aren’t exactly the kind of numbers that can get a sequel green-lit without a moment’s hesitation, but it’s enough for director Baltasar Kormákur to have discussed the possibility with Wahlberg (who also produced the film).
The Wahlberg/Washington pairing also turned out well from a studio investment perspective, resulting in 2 Guns exceeding its $61 million budget in terms of U.S. box office returns; and then, it more than doubled its cost, once you also figure in the foreign gross. Admittedly, those aren’t exactly the kind of numbers that can get a sequel green-lit without a moment’s hesitation, but it’s enough for director Baltasar Kormákur to have discussed the possibility with Wahlberg (who also produced the film).